December 27, 2000
Bears brighten holidays spent inside hospital
Stuffed animals provide source of comfort during holiday stay
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
Few things are more depressing than spending the holidays in the hospital. For children, whose excitement about Christmas builds exponentially as December winds to a close, finding themselves in a hospital bed quickly squashes visions of dancing sugarplums or Santa's reindeer.
To help make a little one's stay in the hospital a little bit nicer, three area organizations have together donated 260 stuffed bears and lions. On Wednesday, many of the stuffed animals were given to staff at Munson Medical Center's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Pediatrics Unit and Emergency Room. Munson affiliates in the region will also receive some of the bears and lions.
For sick children, hugging this little bit of warmth and cheer may help put a little spirit back into their holidays.
"These stuffed animals will be very helpful," noted Mark Baranski, director of Emergency Services at Munson Medical Center. "It helps when we're establishing a relationship with a child, it gives us an opportunity to start off in a positive manner. The animal also accompanies them on their visits to different departments, it is something they can hang on to."
For one area family, the stuffed lion was an unexpected surprise, one that will do double duty. City residents Jason and Cherie Bostwick welcomed their newborn son, Jack Thomas, Tuesday evening. Because of temporary crowding on Munson's Maternity unit, once Cherie was stabilized after giving birth, she and Jack were transferred to the pediatric unit. Being in the right place at the right time has its merits, as the Bostwick family received their lion the next day.
"This lion is for Emily, our two-year-old daughter," Jason said. "She is going to need a little something when we get home."
The American Red Cross, in partnership with Avon, donated 130 stuffed lions and Winnie the Pooh bears. Nine participating area Avon representatives also donated $5 for every bear to the American Red Cross disaster relief fund. Avon's program has been a nationwide effort for a number of years and this is the first year local representatives have partnered with the American Red Cross.
It is a partnership that dovetails with the Red Cross mission to serve people and families in need.
"The Red Cross mission is to prevent suffering and help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies," said Lisa Marks, executive director of the American Red Cross, Grand Traverse Chapter. "Munson and their affiliates were a great group of people to give these stuffed animals to."
Huntington Banks donated the other 130 stuffed bears to Munson Medical Center and its affiliates.
Even a small gift like a bear or lion can help a child facing a stay in the hospital, sometimes for long after their discharge.
"Parents say that the stuffed animals remind their child of the hospital stay in a very positive manner," noted Emergency Services director, Baranaski, who said many law enforcement agencies and ambulance crews now carry stuffed animals for children they may encounter. "That is why this is such a neat thing."